German Chancellor Angela Merkel
on Friday voiced her party's support for Martin Schulz to serve
another term as speaker of the European Parliament, by extension
withdrawing Germany's endorsement of Schulz for a role in the
European Commission.
"The German group in the European People's Party (EPP)
gives its support to the proposal of Martin Schulz as speaker of
the European Parliament," Merkel told a press conference with
Estonian Premier Taavi Roivas.
Schulz was EP speaker until stepping down Wednesday to
resume his old job as head of the Socialists and Democrats.
The German MEP has also voiced interest in serving in the
European Commission after missing out on the the European
Commission presidency when his group finished second behind the
EPP.
The centre-right group has picked former Luxembourg premier
Jean-Claude Juncker as its candidate.
Some said Schulz's bid for a seat in the EC was strong
given he is a member of Germany's Social Democrats, Merkel's
coalition partners.
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